A list of New Year’s resolutions,

Psalms 27:4-5 NLT The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in His Temple. 5 For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

It  is traditional for many people to make a list of New Year’s resolutions, goals for the upcoming year to make a difference in their lives. Here are four things I highly recommend to place on your to-do list for 2015. 

1. Don’t worry about anything. The Message Bible says it best. In Matthew 6:34 MSG “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”  Worry is the opposite of faith and will steal your joy. Worry is counter-productive to accomplishing God’s goals for your life.

2. Pray about everything. Philippians 4:6 NASB “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” If you are looking for something to do, PRAY instead of worrying. Prayer is nothing more than talking to God, having a conversation with the Almighty, who is the only one who can do something about your situation. Prayer is a monologue, not a dialog. When you talk with God, listen for His response. The voice of God will calm the most anxious soul and mind. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NASB

3. Thank God in all things. Philippians 4:6 NASB “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Thanksgiving is an act of faith.

4. Think about the right things. Philippians 4:8 MSG says it best, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

If you ask anyone, he or she would probably say there were things they didn’t like about last year. They would probably also say some good things happened, too. In between the mountains there are valleys. Ups and downs are what life is all about. But - you have a choice as to what you will dwell on. Choose the good because God is good and He is good to you. Refuse to give the devil any of your time. Don’t rent any space in your mind to him!

I pray that you and your families will have a prosperous, healthy, and joyous 2015.

Happy New Year!